The initiative behind the Sarawak campus is part of a long-term strategy by Swinburne Australia to "globalise its operations and provide its students with international living, working and learning opportunities".

[4] Following the long-term strategy by Swinburne Australia,[2] and the approval of the then Minister of Education of Malaysia, Najib Tun Razak in 1999, [5] the Swinburne Sarawak Institute of Technology was set up within a State Office Complex building at Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching, Sarawak.

Swinburne Sarawak is located on a 6.5 ha (16.5 acre) campus in Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching.

Swinburne Sarawak's day-to-day affairs is administered by Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir.

[9] The current Chief Minister of Sarawak The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg was installed as its third Pro Chancellor in October 2017.